There have been a slew of great articles covering sustainable business lately in the major media – in Barron’s, Fortune, Business Week, the Wall Street Journal and the NY Times.
The article, “Good Vibes: Socially Responsible Investing is Gaining Fans and Clout,” appeared in Barron’s Mutual Fund Quarterly Report. Robin Blumenthal, the author, points to the silver lining of the “tidal wave of disclosures about wrongdoing in Corporate America’s executive suites and boardrooms.” It has put a surprising amount of cash and clout in the socially responsible investment (SRI) proponents’ corner, she says.
In 2002, SRI mutual funds grew by $1.5 billion, while conventional U.S. equity funds shrunk by $10.5 billion. Mainstream asset managers including Vanguard, State Street and Gabelli now offer SRI investment options and 14 indexes world-wide track SRI investments. As SRI proponents have claimed for many years, their independent research and emphasis on company transparency helps them invest in companies with higher quality management and avoid some of the red-flag problems like asbestos liability, or Enron-style management.
The title of the June 4 Fortune Small Business Special Report says it all: “The Green Business Revolution, The Next Big Thing.”
The article confirms what we all know: the titans of business 50 years from now may well be CEO’s of organic product businesses, green building real estate firms and solar developers.
The green building industry, the article says, “is charging headfirst into the mainstream.” The authors quote John Knott Jr., a South Carolina-green developer: “There is not a single major manufacturer that does not have a major focus on green design features. You cannot find one that does not have a major initiative in this area. As recently as five years ago such a statement would have been ridiculous.”
Business Week’s Special Report, EnviroTech, looks at some of the coming environmental technologies and the companies behind them. “Clearly, Corporate America is taking on a more active role in protecting the environment. And that’s leading to increased innovation in technologies used to protect and repair the environment … Many companies find that incorporating environmentally friendly technologies can reduce their costs — and hold down prices — and as a consequence please their customers.” The article mentions Ford Motor Co.’s new green roof, GE Plastics’ technology that eliminates the need to paint cars and DuPont’s biological replacement for petroleum-based polyester.
If you are a Wall Street Journal subscriber you can read, “Sun and Wind Will Be Sources for More Power in the Next Decade,” and for a small price you can purchase the archived New York Times June 15 article, “Business; Green Marketing: Label With a Cause“ on Sierra Club branded products.
The article, “Good Vibes: Socially Responsible Investing is Gaining Fans and Clout,” appeared in Barron’s Mutual Fund Quarterly Report. Robin Blumenthal, the author, points to the silver lining of the “tidal wave of disclosures about wrongdoing in Corporate America’s executive suites and boardrooms.” It has put a surprising amount of cash and clout in the socially responsible investment (SRI) proponents’ corner, she says.
In 2002, SRI mutual funds grew by $1.5 billion, while conventional U.S. equity funds shrunk by $10.5 billion. Mainstream asset managers including Vanguard, State Street and Gabelli now offer SRI investment options and 14 indexes world-wide track SRI investments. As SRI proponents have claimed for many years, their independent research and emphasis on company transparency helps them invest in companies with higher quality management and avoid some of the red-flag problems like asbestos liability, or Enron-style management.
The title of the June 4 Fortune Small Business Special Report says it all: “The Green Business Revolution, The Next Big Thing.”
The article confirms what we all know: the titans of business 50 years from now may well be CEO’s of organic product businesses, green building real estate firms and solar developers.
The green building industry, the article says, “is charging headfirst into the mainstream.” The authors quote John Knott Jr., a South Carolina-green developer: “There is not a single major manufacturer that does not have a major focus on green design features. You cannot find one that does not have a major initiative in this area. As recently as five years ago such a statement would have been ridiculous.”
Business Week’s Special Report, EnviroTech, looks at some of the coming environmental technologies and the companies behind them. “Clearly, Corporate America is taking on a more active role in protecting the environment. And that’s leading to increased innovation in technologies used to protect and repair the environment … Many companies find that incorporating environmentally friendly technologies can reduce their costs — and hold down prices — and as a consequence please their customers.” The article mentions Ford Motor Co.’s new green roof, GE Plastics’ technology that eliminates the need to paint cars and DuPont’s biological replacement for petroleum-based polyester.
If you are a Wall Street Journal subscriber you can read, “Sun and Wind Will Be Sources for More Power in the Next Decade,” and for a small price you can purchase the archived New York Times June 15 article, “Business; Green Marketing: Label With a Cause“ on Sierra Club branded products.
++++
(Visited 22 times, 4 visits today)
Loading...